Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term - Senior Secondary School 1

SUBJECT: GOVERNMENT

CLASS:  SS1

DATE:

TERM: 3RD TERM

• REFERENCE
• Essential Government by C.C. Dibie.
• Comprehensive Government by J.U. Anyaele.

WEEK FIVE

TOPIC: PUBLIC OPINION

CONTENT

1. Definition and features.
2. Formation of public opinion.
3. Functions and demerits.

DEFINITION OF PUBLIC OPINION

Public opinion can be defined as the belief, values and attitudes, which are commonly held and expressed by the majority of the people on a given public issue. It therefore, refers to what the members of the public think or feel about government proposed policy or action already taken by government.

FEATURES OF PUBLIC OPINION 

1. Issues of public importance are involved in public opinion.
2. The opinion is held or shared by the majority of people of a particular country.
3. The opinion is expressed by private individuals and not by the government or any of its agencies.
4. In the formation of public opinion, communication and information play a significant role.
5. Public opinion is dynamic; it changes from time to time.
6. Specific issues are focused in expressing public opinions rather than a general issue.

EVALUATION

1. Define public opinion.
2. List 5 features of public opinion.

FORMATION OF PUBLIC OPINION 

1. The Mass Media: Mass media like newspapers; radio, magazines, television, journals, films, handbills, leaflets, etc act as the basis for the formation of public opinion.
2. Through Election: Political parties educate the people on important public issues during campaigns, rallies, etc, and by this opinions are formed.
3. Pressure Group: Organized social interest groups help in the formation of public opinion.
4. Political Parties: Political parties with the help of their manifestoes, rallies, etc, act as the basis of public opinion formation in a country.
5. Individual ‘s Influence: Citizens such as traditional rulers, intellectuals, tycoons, artistes and other influential citizens not at the corridors of power act as public opinion moulders in a country.
6. Lectures and Symposia: Public opinion can be formed through holding of lectures and symposia where ideals on matters of public importance are expressed.
7. Rumours and Gossips: Many citizens who are not well informed may form their opinions from common rumours and gossips.

EVALUATION QUESTIONS

List 5 ways by which public opinion can be formed.

MEASUREMENT OF PUBLIC OPINION

1. Opinion Polls: This is a method of asking questions from a selected sample of people and their views are used to represent that of the entire population.
2. Through Elections: Elections serves as a means of measuring public opinion on the popularity or otherwise of the government.
3. Through Mass Media: Government can determine people’s opinion through exploring all the channels of communication e.g. opinion expressed in newspapers, radio, television, etc.
4. Referendum or Plebiscite: This is a method of referring a political question or government policy to the electorate for approval or disapproval.
5. Telephone Calls: Most of the radio stations in Nigeria today, adopt this method by presenting phone –in-programme.
6. Letters to Government: Citizens may write letters to the government expressing their opinions on a particular issue of national importance.
7. Opinions expressed by leaders of thought: Public opinion can also be measured through opinions expressed by local leaders of thought or leaders in the representative assemblies.   

FUNCTIONS/MERITS OF PUBLIC OPINION

1. It directs the government in knowing what the public thinks about its policies and actions.
2.  Public opinion helps the government to know the needs and aspirations of its citizens.
3. It wakes government and its agencies from slumber.
4. It brings about the formulation of policies and taking actions that are to the best interest of majority of the citizens.
5. In election period, it helps government to ascertain its popularity and whether it can win or lose the election.
6. It serves as an avenue through which public views are channelled to the government.
7. Public opinion especially opinion polls help voters to cast their votes for popular candidates.

DEMERITS OF PUBLIC OPINION

1. Public opinion can easily be manipulated by those who have access to mass media to their favour.
2. It is difficult to measure the opinion of the people on a particular issue.
3. Public opinion may be the views of very few powerful and influential people in the society.
4. It may give wrong, confusing and distortful picture on a given issue.
5. It is not often reliable and therefore not advisable for the government to rely on it.
6. It wastes time and money in trying to ascertain public opinion.
7. It may cause political instability as a result of protest and demonstration against an action of government termed to be against public opinion.

EVALUATION QUESTIONS

1. How can public opinion be measured?
2. Mention 5 demerits of public opinion.

GENERAL EVALUATION/REVISION QUESTIONS

1. State 5 importance of public opinion.
2. How can public opinion be formed?
3. (a) Define legislature (b) Give 5 functions of a modern day legislature. 
4. Discuss the stages involved in passing a bill into law.
5. Explain the concept of parliamentary supremacy.

READING ASSINGMENT

• Comprehensive Government pages 89-90       
• Essential Government pages 119-120

WEEKEND ASSINGMENT

1. Public opinion is very important because it (a) guarantees a free press (b) lets the government know what the people want (c) protects minority (d) incites violence
2. Public opinion is defined as the (a) expressed views of the active and conscious citizens (b) opinion of the entire citizenry (c) education of the uneducated public  (d) Views of the government
3. Public opinion can be formed through the following ways except (a) elections (b) rumour and gossip (c) mass media (d) coup
4. The following are the functions of public opinion except (a) it helps the government to meet the needs of the people (b) it helps the government to formulate policies (c) it is difficult to ascertain (d) it wakes the government from its slumber
5. Public opinion can be expressed through (a) general strike (b) socialisation (c) compromise (d) coup

THEORY

1. What is public opinion?
2. What are the demerits of public opinion?